Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-06-28
WAR llERolNES.
rhe Romantic History of Two Femaie
Treasury CLERKS.

rhe Romantic History ofTwo Female
Treasury clerks.
A Washington letter to The Cincinnati GA-
riiyer saws; There are now engaged IN tue
lvisoa of loans and currency OF the treasury
department. two lady employees who have be-
,orne widely known for their historical expert
,nce Ia war times.
Miss Harriet p. Dame, the armory nurse
Who won national fame by her four years and
light months of perllous service with the I'd
Sew Hampshire during the rebellion, deserves
irst mention. Her career has been repeatedly
published in part, but no writer who attempts
chronicle all her thrilling, trying expert
,nces under deadly fire on the field of battle,
exposed to the contending elements of heaven,
n over the wounded, SICK or dying soldiers IN
he hospitals, need ever hope to be successful.
As matter of fact, and not merely sentiment,
Ter history is written in scars held under
Ter ministering hands, In hearts to whom she
" her presence and deeds brought hope and
comfort amid the sutferings of war and In
he memories of stricken, suffering ones, both
blue and gray, for whom she cared.
She was once taken prisoner lat the second
battle of Bull RUM and detained week about
stonewall Jackson's headquarters in a tent
lpecially provided for her occupancy; but
when the general found on investigating that
The was not spy, as suspected, he had her
'eleased and permitted her to go undisturbed.
She was sent on highly important and respon-
iible missions at various times by the gov
Tnor of New Hampshire, and by other officials
md organizations, each time returning with
thoroughly reliable and practical reports, and
,ftcn doing efficient work in securing needed
reforms in the hospital and transportation ar
fragments.
For number of years since the war her
soldier friends had been urging her at differ
.nt times to secure pension for her services,
out she modestly maintained that she wanted
ihe soldiers pensioned first, and that she could
take care of herself.
This remarkable woman had served these
our years and eight months amid all the
carnage and suffering of war for the pittance
If S. month allowed army nurses. By a
special act of congress- secured by her friends,
she was given pension of SIS month, be-
ginning on July 3, 1884. She allowed the
pension to run for a considerable time; then,
.aking the amount due her and adding to
The same from her modest earnings in the
government service, she built at her own ex-
oense house to be used as the future head
quarters of the I'd New Hampshire soldiers in
their reunions at the Weirs near lake Win
nepesaukee. This cost her $1,000, and Ex-
Gov Smith, governor of New Hampshire at
she close of the war, furnished the house. At
.he close of the war the legislature of New
Hampshire presented her with some highly
ippreciative resolutions engrossed on parch-
nent in recognition of her services, and also
presented her a sum of money.
She is now ~ years old and is we'll preserv-
ID woman for her age. She wears plain
black dress, has we'll formed, expressive
features, dark ewes, and hair only partially
turned gray. Her nose and forehead are
sharply and yet becomingly outlined. She
10 engaged as a money counter at 5000
per year.
Miss Margaret Coleman, in the same divi-
sion, was the housekeeper for the Seward fam
ly in Washington at the time of the assassi-
nation of Lincoln and the attempt on Secreta-
" Stewards life. The screams of Miss Fanny
Seward, who was in the room with her invalid
lather when he was murderously attacked by
Payne, brought Miss Coleman to the rescue,
md when Payne heard her coming he left Mr..
Seward, who, in the struggle, had fallen out of
BED, and he was found by Miss Coleman be-
.ween the bed and the wall, with his head stll
lnder the clothes, and smothering in his own
blood. Payne had lost his hat, and paused a
moment to look in vain for what was after
ward to be silent but unilnpeachable witness
against him. He then rushed for the door,
md, meeting Miss Coleman, threw himself
against her, hurting her against the door as it
stood open and disocating her shoulder blade.
Further on he passed Miss Fannie in hot
haste and made his escape.
Miss Coleman was with the Seward family
sight wears, and witnessed the rapid decline
If both Mrs. Seward and Miss Fannie, who
never revived from the shock of that terrible
light of the 18th of April 1865. Mrs Seward
lied in June, and Miss Fannie in the fall fol
owing the awful scenes of attempted assassi
nation in their home. Miss Coleman tells the
tory as vv.dly as though it had been witness
ID scarcely an hour ago. She is now 81 years
If age, and serves as a messenger at $500 d
rear. She has been in the division twelve
iears.